I have never heard of using paper. My daughter uses cotton fabric. As for the other responses I have used all kinds and weights of stabilizers I attach them to the t shirt before embroidering so it is stable and shouldn't stretch in the hoop. It does look pretty much like that when I rewash it after embroidering. I hadn't thought of the thread shrinking in the dryer. But that is a good thought. There isn't a place to take classes close I am remote.